--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In the critics' vocabulary, the work…" description: "\"In the critics' vocabulary, the work 'precursor' is indispensable, but it should be cleansed of all connotations of polemics or rivalry.\" — Jorge Luis ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/956/jorge-luis-borges-275_connotation_in-the-critics-vocabulary-the-work-precu_3133400.jpg" --- # In the critics' vocabulary, the work 'precursor' is… ![“In the critics' vocabulary, the work 'precursor' is indispensable, but it should be cleansed of all connotations of polemics or rivalry.” quote by Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/956/jorge-luis-borges-275_connotation_in-the-critics-vocabulary-the-work-precu_3133400.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/956/jorge-luis-borges-275_connotation_in-the-critics-vocabulary-the-work-precu_3133400.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/956/jorge-luis-borges-275_connotation_in-the-critics-vocabulary-the-work-precu_3133400.jpg) > “In the critics' vocabulary, the work 'precursor' is indispensable, but it should be cleansed of all connotations of polemics or rivalry.” [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The term 'precursor' is useful but must be stripped of hostile or competitive overtones. **In simple terms:** Use 'precursor' neutrally. Key Takeaway Remove polemics from language. Themes language criticism neutrality Mood analytical neutral Type critical academic When to use this quote - academic writing - art reviews - historical analysis Key Concepts semantics discourse analysis Questions to Reflect On - How can we ensure neutral terminology? - What alternatives exist? A Different Perspective The word may still carry subtle bias despite intent. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Connotation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/connotation/) [Connotations Polemics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/connotations-polemics-5551402/) [Critic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/critic/) [Critics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/critics/) [Critics Vocabulary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/critics-vocabulary-5551401/) [Indispensable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indispensable/) [Polemics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/polemics/) [Precursor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/precursor/) [Precursor Indispensable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/precursor-indispensable-5551400/) [Rivalry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rivalry/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Vocabulary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vocabulary/) ## Related quotes > [Every writer creates his own precursors. His work modifies our conception of the past, as it will modify the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/every-writer-creates-his-own-precursors-his-work-modifies-our/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [In the critic's vocabulary, the word "precursor" is indispensable, but it should be cleansed of all connotations of polemic or rivalry. The fact is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/in-the-critic-s-vocabulary-the-word-precursor-is-indispensable-but-it/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [I always loved Little Anthony and the Imperials. They were like the precursors of the Temptations. I loved their music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-keys/i-always-loved-little-anthony-and-the-imperials-they-were-like-the/) [Bobby Keys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-keys/) > [We need grief as a precursor to emotional refreshment, and so consume it vicariously in somewhat titrated but powerful enough form through engagement with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-wilson/we-need-grief-as-a-precursor-to-emotional-refreshment-and-so-consume/) [Catherine Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-wilson/) > [My parents, grandmother and brother were teachers. My mother taught Latin and French and was the school librarian. 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Everyone talks about there being no weapons…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-kyle/at-another-location-we-found-barrels-of-chemical-material-that-was/) [Chris Kyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-kyle/) > [Theory is continually the precursor of truth; we must pass through the twilight and its shade, to arrive at the full and perfect day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/theory-is-continually-the-precursor-of-truth-we-must-pass-through-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The distrust and suspicion which men everywhere evidence toward their adversaries, at all states of historical development, may be regarded as the immediate precursor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-mannheim/the-distrust-and-suspicion-which-men-everywhere-evidence-toward-their/) [Karl Mannheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-mannheim/) > [Retreat itself is often a plan of resistance and may be a precursor of great bravery and sacrifice. Every retreat is not cowardice which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/retreat-itself-is-often-a-plan-of-resistance-and-may-be-a-precursor/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Happiness is the precursor to success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-achor/happiness-is-the-precursor-to-success/) [Shawn Achor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-achor/) > [The creed of evil has been, since the beginnings of highly industrialized society, not only a precursor of barbarism but a mask of good.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodor-adorno/the-creed-of-evil-has-been-since-the-beginnings-of-highly/) [Theodor Adorno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodor-adorno/) > [“A shock? You mean all that was just the precursor?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marissa-meyer/a-shock-you-mean-all-that-was-just-the-precursor/) [Marissa Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marissa-meyer/) > [Being empowered includes developing the powerful qualities that lead human beings to cultivate wellness and healing. And those are the same qualities that enhance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-kest/being-empowered-includes-developing-the-powerful-qualities-that-lead/) [Bryan Kest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-kest/) ## More by Jorge Luis Borges > [“No hables a menos que puedas mejorar el silencio.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/no-hables-a-menos-que-puedas-mejorar-el-silencio/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [The execution was set for the 29th of March, at nine in the morning. This delay was due to a desire on the part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/the-execution-was-set-for-the-29th-of-march-at-nine-in-the-morning/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [Like all writers, he measured the achievements of others by what they had accomplished, asking of them that they measure him by what he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/like-all-writers-he-measured-the-achievements-of-others-by-what-they/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [How can we manage to illuminate the pathos of our lives?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/how-can-we-manage-to-illuminate-the-pathos-of-our-lives/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [Loneliness does not worry me; life is difficult enough, putting up with yourself and with your own habits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/loneliness-does-not-worry-me-life-is-difficult-enough-putting-up-with/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [The fact is that all writers create their precursors. 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